What does it mean to fight the good fight of faith?

To fightAlmost all talk of battles and wars when concerning a Christian life refers to the inner battle that arises when a sinful thought tempts you. God’s Spirit and the flesh are at odds. When you have decided to only do God’s will and are being led by the Spirit, a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit arises: there is... More the good fight of faith means that we abide in the Word by faith, regardless of what we feel or what we think we understand. Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” John 8:31.

Do not let sin rule

It is written, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21. We have passions and desiresThe desires that we experience that go against God’s will. In other words, a desire for anything sinful. See James 1:14. Also called “sin in the flesh.” Although the expression “youthful lusts” is often thought of in connection with sinful sexual desires, lusts include anything that go against what is good and right in God’s eyes. (2 Timothy 2:22.; Galatians... More that maintain the opposite. We have human reasoning that says, “This is impossible; then they will do what they want with me; they will walk all over me,” etc. Here we have an exhortation by Paul: “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sinTo commit sin is to consciously do something that you know goes against God’s will. This can be in word, deed, or even thought. (James 1:14-15)... More, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sinSin is anything that goes against God’s will and His laws. To commit sin is to transgress or disobey these laws. The lust to sin dwells in human nature. In other words, it is contaminated and motivated by the sinful tendencies that dwell in all people as a result of the fall into sin and disobedience in the garden of Eden. This... More reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lustsThe desires that we experience that go against God’s will. In other words, a desire for anything sinful. See James 1:14. Also called “sin in the flesh.” Although the expression “youthful lusts” is often thought of in connection with sinful sexual desires, lusts include anything that go against what is good and right in God’s eyes. (2 Timothy 2:22.; Galatians... More.” Romans 6:11-12.

To fight the good fight of faith means that we stand firmly anchored in the Word in the power of the Spirit, reckoning ourselves dead to our feelings and our human reasoning, not letting sin rule in our mortal body by obeying its lusts. We have to do what Jesus says: Take up our cross daily and deny ourselves. (Luke 9:23) Paul also says the same thing: “But if by the Spirit you put to deathIs to overcome the temptations to sin that arise when our lusts and desires draw us to react in ways we know to be evil (i.e. pride, hatred, evil-speaking, envy etc.) It is the act of denying those thoughts and refusing to agree with them. The lust to sin is not only suppressed, but it actually dies. (Romans 8:13; Colossians... More the deeds of the bodyDeeds of the body are things we realize are wrong only after we have done them, because the Holy Spirit points them out to us; our eyes are opened to the fact that they were wrong. Therefore, anything wrong that we do unconsciously—without our mind or our enlightened self agreeing to it—is a deed of the body. There is no... More, you will live.” Romans 8:13.

This does not happen without a fight and sufferings. Peter says it like this: “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the fleshSin is anything that goes against God’s will and His laws. To commit sin is to transgress or disobey these laws. The lust to sin dwells in human nature. In other words, it is contaminated and motivated by the sinful tendencies that dwell in all people as a result of the fall into sin and disobedience in the garden of Eden. This... More, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin …” 1 Peter 4:1. Therefore we must suffer in the fleshThe Bible often mentions suffering. Though this can refer to outward, physical suffering, in the New Covenant it mostly applies to the suffering that occurs when you deny your own sinful lusts and desires and put them to death. It is an inner suffering that occurs because your lusts are not being satisfied, rather than a physical, outward one –... More if we are to cease from sin. There will be sufferings in the flesh if we by the Spirit are to put to death what rises up from the flesh so that the lusts are not allowed to rule. Sin rules, and we suffer in our conscience if we do not suffer in the flesh.

Fight the good fight: Bondage or liberty?

Many people do not want to acknowledge this fight and this sufferingThe Bible often mentions suffering. Though this can refer to outward, physical suffering, in the New Covenant it mostly applies to the suffering that occurs when you deny your own sinful lusts and desires and put them to death. It is an inner suffering that occurs because your lusts are not being satisfied, rather than a physical, outward one –... More. It is not uncommon for preachers to use their abilities to present the Christian life as being as easy and as glorious as possible. They explain how Jesus has done everything and as a result we don’t have to do anything. They say, “Jesus has suffered for us; He died for us, and He has redeemed us completely. We must only believe in His finished work, and then we will automatically live an overcoming life. As long as we just look up to Jesus, the fruit of the Spirit which we read about in Galatians 5:22 will come.”

They can proclaim “full liberty” in Christ in spite of seeing the people they serve continue to live in all kinds of sins, and in spite of the fact that they themselves do not have the victory. They live in the love of money, envy, and fornication. They have come into false liberty and turn grace into licentiousness. (Jude 4) They cannot endure this sound doctrine because they have turned their ears away from the truth and have turned aside to fables. (2 Timothy 4:2-4)

Fight the good fight: A call to action

Those who want to be faithful to the truth know that living an overcoming life in the virtues of Christ is not something that comes automatically. Therefore the Scriptures speak of a narrow way, about the cross and self-denial—suffering and death. The Scriptures are full of serious exhortations. They use such words as: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling …” Philippians 2:12. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate …” Luke 13:24. “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them …” 1 Timothy 4:16. “Exercise yourself rather to godliness.” 1 Timothy 4:7. “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue …” 2 Peter 1:5. “Therefore, brethrenThe “brothers” and “sisters” are those who are a part of the church of Christ. (Matthew 23:8; Matthew 12:50; Hebrews 2:10-18)... More, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure …” 2 Peter 1:10. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit precisely so that we should have power to fight the good fight of faith.

However, when fighting the good fight in order to abide in His Word and pursuing sanctificationSanctification is the process by which you are transformed to have divine nature by the act of consistently putting sin to death by resisting temptation. This is what it means to cleanse the inside of the cup. (Matthew 23:26) Your sinful nature is gradually replaced by virtues – the divine nature. Romans 12:2, 2 Peter 1:4.... More is preached, people cry out: “Bondage! Striving in your own strength! You want to sanctify yourself!” etc. They are enemiesMost often when a Christian refers to his or her “enemies” they are speaking about the sin in their flesh and the temptations and lusts that arise from there. These are enemies because they tempt us to act contrary to the will of God. These can also be spiritual powers such as the spirit of the times which oppose the... More of the cross of Christ. You can see that by their conduct. (Philippians 3:18-19) This is why they do not have fellowshipFellowship means communion with other Christians who are living the same life that you are. It includes mutual edification and a unity in purpose and spirit that goes far deeper than friendship or human relationships. (1 John 1:7) We also experience fellowship with Christ when we overcome sin in the time of temptation just as He did when He was... More with one another as the Father and the Son have fellowship. In spite of this they do not want to acknowledge what is written in James 4:1-4. They have turned away from the truth to the lie. They are not sound in the faith. (Titus 1:13)

Sound exhortations

Let us rather choose to hear the sound doctrine, the sound faith, and Paul’s sound exhortations!

“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing.” 1 Timothy 6:11-14.

The New Covenant and the Mystery of Lawlessness

The New Covenant is a personal covenant that we make with God, in which we commit ourselves to obey all His will and in return He commits to equip us with everything we need to do this. The mystery of lawlessness is that most people explain away this part of the grace that Jesus delivered to us, and instead turn the grace of God into a license to sinTo commit sin is to consciously do something that you know goes against God’s will. This can be in word, deed, or even thought. (James 1:14-15)... More.

Complete freedom from sinSin is anything that goes against God’s will and His laws. To commit sin is to transgress or disobey these laws. The lust to sin dwells in human nature. In other words, it is contaminated and motivated by the sinful tendencies that dwell in all people as a result of the fall into sin and disobedience in the garden of Eden. This... More. Isn’t that impossible?

ActiveChristianity® by Brunstad Christian Church explores how God’s Word challenges and empowers us to live 100% according to His will, so we no longer need to fall in sin, but can come to a life of victory.